overlap

B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic

v. to happen at the same time or to share some of the same ideas.

v. to have an area, range, character, or time period in common. Frequently used in academic contexts to describe shared theoretical or temporal space.

“Our jobs overlap a bit because we both work on the same project.”

“The two historical eras overlap by nearly a decade, creating a transitional period where both old and new social norms existed simultaneously.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Academic

n. the part of something that covers another thing, or the amount of shared interest.

n. the amount or degree to which two things cover each other or share common elements.

“There is a lot of overlap between the two science courses.”

“The study identified a significant overlap in the symptoms of the two conditions, making an accurate diagnosis difficult for general practitioners.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Sports British English

n. a situation in a game where one team has more players in an area than the other team.

n. a tactical situation in which the attacking side outnumbers the defensive line in a specific area of the field.

“The team missed a great chance because they didn't use the overlap on the left wing.”

“By drawing the central defenders out of position, the winger created a two-man overlap that led directly to the winning goal.”